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How is paternity established?
Married parents
If parents are married to each other when a child is born or when
the mother became pregnant, the mother’s husband is the child’s
legal father.
Unmarried parents
Parents who are not married to each other must do something
to establish paternity. There are two main ways parents can
establish paternity when they are not married:
• Unmarried parents can establish paternity voluntarily. This
means they agree to name the father of the child; or
• Unmarried parents can ask the local family court to help
establish paternity. This usually involves DNA paternity testing.
Both of these ways are explained below.
Establishing paternity voluntarily by signing
an affidavit
The parents of a child who is born to an unmarried mother can
voluntarily establish paternity. They can do this by signing a form
that says the man is the biological father. The man can sign the
form even if he’s married to someone else.
This form is called the Afdavit of Parentage, or “afdavit” for
short. (The form number is DCH-0682.)
When both unmarried parents sign the afdavit, and it’s also
signed by a qualied witness or notary, it means they are the legal
parents of their child. No one has to go to the local family court to
establish paternity.
DCH-0682 (Rev. 4-16) By authority of Act 305 of 1996 as amended. 1
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics
We affirm under penalty of perjury that we are the natural parents of:
Hospital Name, City, County, State
and that we sign this affidavit to establish the paternity for this child. We hereby consent that the name of the natural father may be included on the certificate
of birth for the child. We wish the child’s name to be recorded as:
In signing this form, we understand that:
(a) This is a legal document.
(b) Completion of the affidavit is voluntary.
(c) The mother has initial custody of the child, without prejudice to the
determination of either parent’s custodial rights, until otherwise determined
by the court or agreed upon by the parties in writing and acknowledged by
the court. This grant of initial custody to the mother shall not, by itself, affect
the rights of either parent in a proceeding to seek a court order for custody
or parenting time.
(d) Either parent may assert a claim in court for parenting time or custody.
(e) Both parents have a right to notice and a hearing regarding the adoption of
the child.
(f) Both parents have the responsibility to support the child and to comply with
a court or administrative order for the child’s support.
(g) By signing this affidavit, we waive the following:
(i) The right to blood or genetic tests to determine if the man is the
biological father of the child.
(ii) Any right to a court-appointed attorney, including the Prosecuting
Attorney, to represent either party in a court action to determine if the
man is the biological father of the child.
(iii) The right to a trial to determine if the man is the biological father of
the child.
(h) In order to revoke the Affidavit of Parentage, an individual must file a
claim as provided under the Revocation of Paternity Act (Michigan
Compiled Law [MCL] 722.1437).
Further, the mother states that she was not married when this child was born or conceived; or that this child, though born or conceived during a marriage, is
not an issue of that marriage as determined by a court of law.
Date of Birth:
(MM/DD/YYYY)
Place of Birth: (State or
Country)
Date of Birth:
(MM/DD/YYYY)
Place of Birth: (State or
Country)
Current Address (Street, Apt. No., City, State, Zip)
Current Address (Street, Apt. No., City, State, Zip)
To the best of my knowledge, the above information is true:
To the best of my knowledge, the above information is true:
Notary Public in and for County, Michigan Notary Public in and for County, Michigan
Acting in the county of Acting in the county of
Signature Printed Name Signature Printed Name
Signature and sworn to before me this day of 20 Signature and sworn to before me this day of 20
Commission expiration date Commission expiration date
QUALIFIED WITNESS SECTION – Facility Use Only (if not notarized, complete as defined on reverse of form)
Signature of Father’s Witness
Signature of Mother’s Witness
Witness Place of Employment
Witness Place of Employment
Witness Work Address (Street, City, State, Zip)
Witness Work Address (Street, City, State, Zip)